Craver Ranch: The $5.1 Billion Development Coming to North Denton
9,190 homes, 1.24 million square feet of commercial space, and 380 acres of parkland on 2,870 acres between Denton and Lake Ray Roberts.
If Landmark by Hillwood is reshaping the corridor’s northern boundary from the south, Craver Ranch is about to do the same from the north. And between the two of them, the stretch of Denton County between I-35W and Lake Ray Roberts is going to look fundamentally different in 20 years.
Craver Ranch is a 2,870-acre mixed-use master-planned development approved by Denton City Council in December 2025. Developed by Old Prosper Partners, the project is planned for more than 9,000 residential units and 1.24 million square feet of commercial space, with construction expected to begin around 2028 and a buildout timeline spanning at least 20 years. The development sits in far north Denton, positioned between the city and Lake Ray Roberts, directly adjacent to the Sanger area.
At $5.1 billion in projected value and over $462 million in planned public infrastructure, Craver Ranch is one of the largest residential developments ever approved in Denton County. For anyone tracking the Argyle–Northlake corridor and its extension northward into Sanger and Denton, this is a project that demands attention.
The Development Plan
Craver Ranch is planned across 2,870 acres with a comprehensive mix of residential, commercial, and recreational components:
◆ 7,091 single-family homes on lot widths ranging from 40 to 70 feet
◆ 1,084 townhomes
◆ 1,015 multifamily units (apartments)
◆ 1.24 million square feet of commercial and mixed-use space
◆ 380 acres of green space, open space, and parkland
◆ A community 13.5 miles of public trails and 18.5 miles of shared-use paths
◆ Cottage home and townhome options alongside traditional single-family
◆ Home prices anticipated to range from the low $300,000s to $700,000
◆ Three school site donations for Denton ISD and Sanger ISD campuses
◆ Approximately $462 million in public infrastructure
◆ A Municipal Management District (MMD) to fund infrastructure through assessments
The total unit count of more than 9,000 makes Craver Ranch one of the largest single-site residential approvals in Denton County history — larger than Landmark’s 9,000 combined units and comparable in total scale to some of the largest master-planned communities in the entire DFW metroplex.
The Name, the Land, and the Developer
The property is named after the Craver family who originally owned the land. Old Prosper Partners officially acquired the 2,870-acre site on January 30, 2026, and has indicated that the development will receive a new name before the first homes go to market — a rebranding effort to be handled by a marketing agency once the infrastructure and utility planning is complete.
The land was annexed by the City of Denton in 2008–09 in anticipation of future development, though it was not included in either the 2030 or 2040 comprehensive land-use plans. The December 2025 approval required a comprehensive plan amendment, a rezoning from rural to planned development, and an update to the city’s mobility plan to accommodate the project’s scale.
Old Prosper Partners has indicated that utility and easement work will take approximately 12 months or longer before site construction can begin, placing the earliest construction start around 2028.
Location: Between Denton and the Lake
Craver Ranch occupies a strategically significant position in north Denton County. The site sits west and south of FM 2153, east of FM 2164, and north of Gribble Springs and Shepard roads — placing it between the developed core of Denton to the south and Lake Ray Roberts and Sanger to the north.
This positioning matters for two reasons. First, it fills in a gap in the county’s residential footprint that has historically been agricultural and rural. As the corridor’s growth has pushed from Northlake through Justin and into Sanger, Craver Ranch represents the natural next phase of that expansion from the east. Second, the proximity to Lake Ray Roberts gives Craver Ranch a recreational amenity that few master-planned communities in the county can claim — lake access, state park proximity, and the outdoor lifestyle that made Sanger appealing to begin with.
The Denton County Outer Loop
One of the most significant long-term infrastructure stories connected to Craver Ranch is the proposed Denton County Outer Loop — a major transportation corridor being studied by TxDOT. While no final alignment has been selected, one proposed route would run through the Craver Ranch development, and another would pass just south of it. TxDOT officials are expected to complete the corridor study for the area in fall 2026.
If the Outer Loop materializes anywhere near Craver Ranch, it would fundamentally change the accessibility of north Denton County — creating a direct east-west connection that bypasses I-35 congestion and opens up land between Denton, Sanger, and points east to significantly faster commute times. For investors and landowners in the Sanger area, the Outer Loop is one of the most important infrastructure projects to watch in the region.
Schools: Denton ISD and Sanger ISD
Craver Ranch straddles two school districts. The majority of the development falls within Denton ISD, while a portion on the northern edge is served by Sanger ISD. The developer has donated three tracts of land for future school campuses — two for Denton ISD and one for Sanger ISD — ensuring that both districts can build new facilities to serve the incoming population.
This dual-district arrangement is important for buyers evaluating the development. Depending on which portion of Craver Ranch a home is located in, children may attend Denton ISD or Sanger ISD schools. As with every property in the corridor, confirming school district zoning by specific address is essential before purchasing.
The Municipal Management District
Craver Ranch operates under a Municipal Management District (MMD) — a political subdivision created by the Texas Legislature that gives the developer the authority to levy assessments on property owners within the district to fund infrastructure. This is the same financing mechanism used at Landmark and Cole Ranch, and it is becoming the standard structure for mega-scale developments in Denton County.
The MMD will fund the approximately $462 million in public infrastructure required for the development, including roads, water, sewer, and utility systems. It is important for buyers to understand that properties within an MMD may carry additional assessment obligations beyond standard property taxes. These assessments fund the infrastructure that makes the community possible, but they should be factored into the total cost of ownership.
The developer has also committed $3 million toward affordable housing within the development.
What Craver Ranch Means for Sanger and the Corridor
For Sanger
Craver Ranch is the most significant development event in Sanger’s immediate orbit. With 9,190 residential units and 1.24 million square feet of commercial space planned just south of the Sanger area, the development will dramatically increase the population, retail traffic, and infrastructure investment in north Denton County. For Sanger residents and landowners, this is the growth catalyst that transforms the area from a rural outpost into a connected, service-rich extension of the broader corridor.
For the corridor
Combined with Landmark (3,200 acres, $10 billion) to the southwest, Cole Ranch (3,100 acres, $5 billion) adjacent to Landmark, and Furst Ranch (2,300 acres) to the south in Argyle, Craver Ranch completes a ring of mega-scale development that is redefining the entire northern half of Denton County. The total scope of these four projects alone exceeds 12,000 acres and $25 billion in projected value. That is not incremental growth. It is a structural transformation of the market.
For investors
Craver Ranch’s 2028 construction start means there is still time to acquire land in the surrounding area before the development’s impact is fully priced in. AG-exempt acreage near the Craver Ranch footprint — particularly in the Sanger area between the development and Lake Ray Roberts — represents some of the most compelling buy-and-hold inventory in Denton County right now. When 9,190 homes and 1.24 million square feet of commercial space begin to materialize, surrounding land values will respond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Craver Ranch
Q: What is Craver Ranch?
A: Craver Ranch is a 2,870-acre, $5.1 billion mixed-use master-planned development approved for north Denton, Texas, near Lake Ray Roberts. It is planned to include more than 9,000 residential units (7,091 single-family homes, 1,084 townhomes, and 1,015 multifamily units), 1.24 million square feet of commercial space, 380 acres of parkland, and school sites for Denton ISD and Sanger ISD.
Q: Where is Craver Ranch located?
A: Craver Ranch is in far north Denton, positioned between the developed core of the city and Lake Ray Roberts near Sanger. The site is west and south of FM 2153, east of FM 2164, and north of Gribble Springs and Shepard roads.
Q: When will construction begin at Craver Ranch?
A: Utility and easement planning is expected to take approximately 12 months. Construction is anticipated to begin around 2028, with a total buildout timeline of at least 20 years.
Q: What school district serves Craver Ranch?
A: Craver Ranch straddles Denton ISD and Sanger ISD. The majority of the development falls within Denton ISD, with a portion on the northern edge served by Sanger ISD. The developer has donated three school site tracts — two for Denton ISD and one for Sanger ISD.
Q: How much will homes cost at Craver Ranch?
A: Home prices are anticipated to range from the low $300,000s to $700,000, with a variety of product types including single-family homes on 40- to 70-foot lots, townhomes, cottage homes, and multifamily units.
Q: Who is developing Craver Ranch?
A: Craver Ranch is being developed by Old Prosper Partners. The property was officially acquired on January 30, 2026. The development will be renamed before the first homes are marketed.
Q: What is the Denton County Outer Loop and how does it affect Craver Ranch?
A: The Denton County Outer Loop is a proposed major transportation corridor being studied by TxDOT. One alignment option would run through the Craver Ranch development, and another would pass just south. The corridor study is expected to be completed in fall 2026. If built, it would significantly improve east-west connectivity in north Denton County.
Q: What is a Municipal Management District (MMD)?
A: An MMD is a political subdivision that allows a developer to levy assessments on property owners within the district to fund infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer, and utilities. Craver Ranch’s MMD was approved by the Texas Legislature and the Denton City Council. Properties within the MMD may carry additional assessment obligations beyond standard property taxes.
Q: How does Craver Ranch affect Sanger real estate?
A: Craver Ranch is the most significant development near Sanger, with 9,190 planned residential units and 1.24 million square feet of commercial space just south of the Sanger area. The development is expected to increase population, infrastructure investment, and commercial activity in north Denton County, which will likely have a positive spillover effect on Sanger-area land values.
Q: Can Ryan Stoddard help me evaluate land near Craver Ranch?
A: Yes. Ryan serves Sanger and the broader Argyle–Northlake corridor and tracks every major development in the area. Whether you are evaluating land near Craver Ranch, considering a buy-and-hold strategy ahead of construction, or looking at Sanger-area acreage for a ranch or estate build, Ryan can provide current availability and local market insight. Contact Ryan at 402.902.9261 or [email protected].
Want to Know How Craver Ranch Affects the Market?
Whether you are considering buying within the future Craver Ranch development, evaluating how it impacts land values in the Sanger area, or thinking about acquiring acreage before the 2028 construction start, Ryan Stoddard can help. As a luxury real estate advisor at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty who lives in Argyle and tracks every development across the corridor and Denton County, Ryan provides the hyperlocal insight that makes the difference.
Ryan Stoddard
Luxury Real Estate Advisor | Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty
402.902.9261 | [email protected] | RyanStoddardRealEstate.com
Based in Argyle, TX — Serving the Argyle–Northlake Corridor and Denton County
